“My lady, that would be my most fervent wish, but I can hardly believe you find it acceptable for me to do so. Not that many days ago, it seemed that you and Colonel Twitchard were colluding to keep your cousin and me firmly apart.”
Lady Twitchard looked uncomfortable. “I got a little above myself, as they say. I thought my cousin might be playing you falsely. But I don’t think that any longer. Rather, I know he has genuine admiration for you. And vice versa, if I understand your sentiments correctly.”
Brilliance nodded. “Lord Hewitt and I do share a strong mutual admiration.”
“Then let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.”
“How well put,” Brilliance said. “So poetic.”
“Shakespeare,” Lady Twitchard said. “From one of my favorite sonnets.”
Brilliance felt a little embarrassed. “I am sorry to say I have never memorized any of his works.”
“That is neither here nor there. You have other grand qualities.” They stared at one another for a moment.
Brilliance was glad Lady Twitchard didn’t try to come up with any of those qualities because she knew her list of accomplishments was short, and her attributes were restricted to a pleasant personality and above-average good looks. Regardless, she tried to always be a good daughter, a true friend, and a congenial guest. One day soon, she hoped to be a loyal fiancée and then a loving wife.
“In any case,” her hostess continued, “Lord Hewitt sent a letter that was extremely polite yet also compelling, resulting in the somewhat unconventional day that lies ahead. My cousin is persuasive when he wants something.”
Lady Twitchard left it hanging in the air that what he wanted was ... Brilliance.
Thus she found herself packed off with her maid to spend the day at Mirabel Manor, with the understanding that Colonel and Lady Twitchard would arrive within a few hours.
“Should I take a change of dress?” Brilliance thought how her mother might disapprove of her sitting down to dine in the same gown she’d traveled in and worn for hours.
“Do you see?” Lady Twitchard remarked. “You have a very sound head upon your shoulders. I think, under the circumstances, you will be forgiven for not changing. However, I see nothing wrong in taking another gown since you’ll have your maid with you.”
By mid-morning, she was bundled into a small conveyance with her maid and a change of clothes and driving to Lord Hewitt’s home.
It was most unusual, as Lady Twitchard had said. Many times, Brilliance wondered if her parents would approve, in particular, her father.
Regardless, a short while later, she was met at Lord Hewitt’s front drive, not by a footman but by the viscount himself, helping her down from the carriage.
“You came,” he said, sounding excited and charming her down to the toes of her favorite, soft blue shoes.
As if there had been any doubt that she would!
“I thank you for the invitation. Your cousin and the Colonel will be along in a few hours.”
“Isn’t that wonderful?” he said, not taking his gaze off her.
“I have brought my maid,” she added, in case he thought her entirely without morals.
“Isn’t that wonderful, too?” he repeated. “I am sure she will enjoy spending the day with my staff. Come along, let us introduce her to my housekeeper, and then we’ll figure out what we want to do first.”
“After the carriage ride, I would like to take a stroll and exercise my legs.”
“May I join you?” he asked.
Brilliance burst out laughing. When she could speak easily again, she said, “The first time I saw you in Lady Twitchard’s conservatory, I would never have thought you to have a jolly sense of humor.”
“I am serious when playing, it’s true.”
“Oh yes, you were fierce, and you chased me off. Twice.”
They entered his front hall, and she gave her lightweight short mantle to his butler.
“I may always be that way when concentrating on music. In fact, I can almost guarantee I will be,” Lord Hewitt said. “I work best when I forget myself, almost as though my physical body were unimportant except for my fingers. They are merelythe conduit which sends the music from my brain out into the world.”
